Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, fighter jets, and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia - report
As Pakistan serves as the main mediator in the Iran war, Islamabad has quietly sent a substantial combat-capable military force to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense pact
Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of approximately 16 JF-17 fighter jets made jointly with China, two squadrons of drones, and a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system to Saudi Arabia. This is all according to an exclusive Reuters report, confirmed by three security officials and two government sources. Saudi Arabia is allegedly financing the deployment, and all equipment is operated by Pakistani personnel.
The deployment was reportedly made under a mutual defense pact signed last year between the two countries, the full terms of which remain confidential. One government source who has seen the text of the confidential defense pact said it provides for the possibility of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops being deployed to help secure the Saudi kingdom's borders.
Both sides have said the agreement requires each country to come to the other's defense in the event of an attack. In an interview last year with GeoTV, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said that under this agreement, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons capabilities “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia.
The deployment adds to the thousands of Pakistani troops with a combat role already stationed in Saudi Arabia under previous agreements. However, according to two security officials who spoke with Reuters, this deployment of military and air force personnel will primarily have an advisory and training role.
Reuters previously reported that Pakistan sent jets to Saudi Arabia after Iranian strikes hit key Saudi energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi national. The latest deployment comes as Islamabad emerges as the war's principal mediator, having brokered a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran that has held for six weeks and hosted the only round of US-Iranian peace talks so far.
Pakistan has long provided military support to Saudi Arabia, including training and advisory deployments, while Riyadh has repeatedly stepped in to support Islamabad financially during periods of economic stress.
Pakistan's military and foreign office and Saudi Arabia's government media office did not respond to requests for comment.